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I was amazed to find out everyone in Malibu is on a septic system. No way they will allow homes to be rebuilt on the ocean with a septic tank

Sigh. I need to proof read before I post. I meant “look at the comments”. “Turned down by CA”. I wish we could edit a post. Sorry.

Same here. WHERE are the septic tanks and drain fields? There’s no room....They would have to put in a sewer system for rebuilding I would think....

"I was amazed to find out everyone in Malibu is on a septic system."

Me, too. I thought "Come on, that can't be right! There's no room for a septic drain leach field."

So I asked Grok 3 "Are Malibu beach front homes on septic systems?" Interesting answer -- septic systems and sewers were used to control growth and political battles ensued. Bueinsss as usual!

Yes, many Malibu beachfront houses are indeed on septic tank systems, though it’s not a universal rule anymore and depends on the specific area and property. Historically, Malibu has relied heavily on septic systems—known technically as onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS)—because it resisted centralized sewer infrastructure for decades. The city incorporated in 1991 partly to block Los Angeles County’s push for a sewer line, fearing it would spur overdevelopment and turn the rugged coastline into a high-rise jungle. Septic systems became a quirky, effective brake on growth, keeping things low-density and rustic.
Beachfront homes, especially along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), were often built mid-20th century—think 1940s to 1960s—with basic septic setups. These systems handle wastewater locally, using tanks and leach fields to treat and disperse it into the soil. Given Malibu’s sandy, coastal terrain and high water table, this setup has been both a blessing and a curse. It’s kept the shoreline from sprouting condos, but it’s also led to pollution headaches—leaky tanks have been blamed for fouling Malibu Lagoon and Surfrider Beach with bacteria, a problem environmentalists have harped on since at least the 2000s.
Things started shifting in 2009 when the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board banned new septic systems in the Civic Center area (central Malibu, near the pier and Pepperdine). Existing systems there had to phase out by 2019, with properties hooking up to the new Civic Center Wastewater Treatment Facility, which opened in 2018. This facility now serves parts of central and eastern Malibu, recycling wastewater for irrigation. Beachfront homes in that zone—like those near Malibu Colony or Surfrider—likely transitioned off septic if they’ve complied.
Outside that area, though, septic remains common. Places like Point Dume, Broad Beach, or Little Dume often still use advanced OWTS, especially where sewer lines haven’t reached. Posts on X from early 2025—like Adam Carolla’s take after the Malibu fires—highlight how these older beachfront septic systems are a rebuilding nightmare under modern codes. New regulations demand upgrades or replacements that can cost $80,000 to hundreds of thousands, factoring in coastal engineering and seawalls to protect against erosion. The Malibu Municipal Code (amended in 2008 and 2017) also requires operating permits and inspections at sale, pushing many older systems to modernize.
So, are Malibu beachfront houses on septic? Many still are, especially west or east of the Civic Center zone, but the trend is shifting. Central beachfront properties have largely moved to sewer connections, while others cling to septic—often upgraded to meet stricter environmental rules. It’s a patchwork, shaped by geography, history, and a fierce tug-of-war between preservation and pollution control.

Isn't it interesting that Grok quoted Adam Carolla?

I could see where 50 to 75 year old septic tanks have developed cracks and leak.

I was amazed to find out everyone in Malibu is on a septic system. No way they will allow homes to be rebuilt on the ocean with a septic tank

Do they have any choice? You saw how hilly it is around Adam's house, so a sewer system can be very tricky and costly. I'm guessing they'll just replace or repair their septic systems. A sewer system there would probably be a monumental project and huge expense.

You can imagine all the bureaucratic red tape in California. It's gonna probably take 7 to 10 years to clear and rebuild all those exclusive Hollywood homes and buildings in Malibu.

But NewScum and Big Mouth Bass will just emanate domain that whole strip then sell special permits for high rise hotels there. Adam’s view will be gone.